Chair.



BEST AVAEANIEUOPY 0. s. JENNINGS.

CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1909.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

0 s. JENNINGS.

CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1909.

Patented Sept. 28,1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR S. JENNINGS, OF DANIBY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE W. MILLER, OF ITHACA, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

Application filed. June 2, 1909. Serial No. 499,796.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Oscar. S. JENNINGS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Danby, in the county of Tompkins and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chairs, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to improvements in chairs and more especially to that class of chairs known as step-ladder chairs.

An object of the invention is to provide a chair that may be folded in a compact manner for either shipment or storing purposes which at the same time is adjustable to accurately position its respective members for convenient use either as a seat or as a ladder.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a combination article of furniture as to be instantly convertible from one form to the other and to be substantially locked in either position.

A still further object is the provision of a structure in which the relative angle between the seat and back members is automatically changed adding to the comfort of the combined article.

lVith these general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is further understood, the improvement consists of the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device positioned as a step ladder, Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thereof showing the same in use, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device positioned as a chair, and, Fig. 4 shows the device in folded position.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the back 1 consists of opposite parallel members 1 extending downwardly and providing the rear feet 2 and positioned slightly below the middle point thereof as at 3, the seat supporting brackets 4 oppositely arranged and positioning thereon the seat 5. The combination arm and leg members 6, 6, are pivoted to said back member as at 7 at a point slightly above the pivotal point of said seat supports, said members 6 terminating in the two front feet 8, 8 of the device and it being noted that said latter members are pivoted to the opposite outer sides of the back 1 while the seat support members 4 are pivoted at opposite interior points thereon, and the space between the adjacent faces of said respective members is substan tially that of the thickness of the members l.

The supporting members 4 have oppositely arranged and alining with each other a novel form of notch, or cut-away portion 9 consisting of two opposite slots 10 and 11 of which the former positioned toward the front of the device is the deeper. The arm members 6 being bent outwardly as at 12 are provided with the connecting bar 13 at this point which is adapted to be received shiftably within the locking excisions 9.

Positioned at a suitable distance above the position of the seat is provided the connecting back'brace 14 consisting of strips 15 and 16 substantially perpendicular one to the other; the strip 15 acting as a back for the seat while the strip 16 performs the function of a second step to the ladder. Positioned at a convenient distance above said step and connecting substantially the upper ends of the back members 1 is the brace 17 for strengthening the back member and affording additional assistance to the user of the step ladder, the latter being shown in Fig. 2.

With the invention positioned as shown in Fig. l for use as a step ladder, the seat 5 being adapted for the first step thereof, it assuming a level position the second step 16 is accurately positioned in proper spaced relation and in a plane parallel thereto, with the members securely locked in this position by the reception of the bar 13 securely seated at the upper extremities of the slots 10 in the seat supports el. The showing thereof noted in Fig. 2 clearly presents without further explanation such operation together with the assistance afforded by the brace bar 17.

Vith the use of the device as a chair, as shown in Fig. 3, said latter position is readily assumed by lifting the device while grasping the bar 17, the parts automatically shifting to position the rod 18 to its seat at the end of the slot 11 of the supporting members 4. This accomplishes a slight tilting rearwardly of the back member together with the support 15, while the seat member E positioned between said arm members and 5 assumes a slightly slanting position, such relative arrangement being adapted for the comfortable use of the chair.

When not in use, the device is readily folded as shown in Fig. l, the seat being removed from between the arms (5, (i and pivoted downwardly for the engagement of the lower connecting rod 18 of the back member with the said slots 11, 11; the arm members then closely fitting over and substantially inclosing the seat, the lower round 19 of the arms contacting the seat.

Both the seat and the back members may be suitably protected by the coverings 20 as shown and the bracing of the supporting members in either position of the device for the perfect use of the same as arranged will be apparent.

Although the forms of my invention herein set forth and described are what are believed to be preferable embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the right is reserved to change and alter the same as respects size, form and minor details of construction as shall fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention and the manner in which the same is designed for use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An article of furniture comprising a back member comprising opposite parallel strips, connecting strips positioned therebetween in perpendicular relation to each other, seat supporting members pivoted between said back members, arm members pivoted at opposite points to the outside of said back members, said seat supporting members provided with slots, and a connecting rod positioned between said arm members and adapted to engage in said slots.

2. An article of furniture comprising a back member comprising opposite parallel strips, connecting strips positioned therebetween in perpendicular relation to each other, seat supporting members pivoted between said back members, arm members pivoted at opposite points to the outside of said back mem ers, said seat supporting members provided with slots, and a connecting rod adapted to engage in one of said slots in each member for locking the members either as a chair or ladder.

3. A device of the class described comprising oppositely arranged back members, seat supports pivoted therebetween and arm members pivoted to the outer faces thereof, rods connecting said arm members, locking means between said seat supports and one of said rods, strips arranged perpendicular to each other and positioned between said back members, said members being adj ustable to position one of said strips either in or out of parallel relation with the seat.

4. A device of the class described comprising oppositely arranged back members, seat supports pivoted therebetween and arm members pivoted to the. outer faces thereof, rods connecting said arm members, locking means between said seat supports and one of said rods, strips arranged perpendicular to each other and positioned between said back members, said members being adjustable to position one of said strips either in or out of parallel relation with the seat, and either of said relative positions retained by said locking means.

5. A device of the class described comprising oppositely arranged back members, seat supports pivoted therebetween and arm members pivoted to the outer faces thereof, rods connecting said arm members, locking means between said seat supports and one of said rods, strips arranged perpendicular to each other and positioned between said back members, said members being adjustable to position one of said strips either in or out of parallel relation with the seat, either of said relative positions retained by said locking means, and said members capable of interengagement in folded relations.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR S. JENNINGS. 

